Solute Carriers in Metabolism : Regulation of known and putative solute carriers in the central nervous system

Solute carriers (SLCs) are membrane-bound transporter proteins, important for nutrient, ion, drug and metabolite transport across membranes. A quarter of the human genome codes for membrane-bound proteins, and SLCs make up the largest group of transporter proteins. Due to their ability to transport a large repertoire of substances across, not just the plasma membrane, but also the membrane of internal organelles, they hold a key position in maintaining homeostasis affecting metabolic pathways. Unfortunately, some of the more than 400 identified SLCs are still not fully characterized, even though a quarter of these are associated with human disease. In addition, there are about 30 membrane-bound proteins with strong resemblance to SLCs, of which very little is known. The aim of this thesis is to characterize some of these putative SLCs, focusing on their localization and function in the central nervous system. Since many of the known SLCs play a vital part in metabolism and related pathways, the response to different nutritional conditions has been used as a key method. MFSD14A and MFSD14B, characterized in Paper I, are putative SLCs belonging to the Major Facilitator Superfamily (MFS) and found to be neuronal, differentially expressed in the mouse central nervous system and transiently upregulated in mouse embryonic cortex cultures due to amino acid deprivation. They were also altered in areas of the mouse brain after starvation as well as after high fat diet. In Paper II, the effect on gene regulation due to complete amino acid starvation was monitored in a mouse hypothalamic cell line and 47 different genes belonging to SLCs, or putative SLCs, were found to be affected. Of these, 15 genes belonged to already known amino acid transporters, whereas 32 were putative SLCs with no known function or SLCs not known to react to amino acids. The three SV2 proteins, SV2A, SV2B and SV2C, were studied in Paper III using human neuroblastoma cell lines. The high metabolic state of cancers often result in an upregulation and alteration of transporter proteins, and alterations of the SV2 proteins were found following different treatments performed in this study. Paper IV focused on putative SLCs of MFS type and their role in glucose metabolism. Mouse embryonic cortex cultures were subjected to glucose starvation and the gene expression of 19 putative transporters were analyzed. All but four of the putative transporters were affected either at 3h or 12h of glucose deprivation. In conclusion, several SLCs and putative SLCs studied in this thesis are strongly affected by alteration in metabolism, either due to amino acids or glucose or both. This makes the putative SLCs dynamic membrane-bound proteins, possibly transporters, highly affected by nutritional status and most likely regulated to maintain homeostasis

Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Neuron, Cholinergic, and Glial Cells

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are pluripotent cells, capable of differentiation into different cellular lineages given the opportunity. Derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts in early embryonic development, the cell self-renewal ability makes them a great tool for regenerative medicine, and there are different protocols available for maintaining hESCs in their undifferentiated state. In addition, protocols for differentiation into functional human neural stem cells (hNSCs), which have the potential for further differentiation into various neural cell types, are available. However, many protocols are time-consuming and complex and do not always fit for purpose. In this study, we carefully combined, optimized, and developed protocols for differentiation of hESCs into adherent monolayer hNSCs over a short period of time, with the possibility of both expansion and freezing. Moreover, the method details further differentiation into neurons, cholinergic neurons, and glial cells in a simple, single step by step protocol. We performed immunocytochemistry, qPCR, and electrophysiology to examine the expression profile and characteristics of the cells to verify cell lineage. Using presented protocols, the creation of neuronal cultures, cholinergic neurons, and a mixed culture of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes can be completed within a three-week time period

The Neuronal and Peripheral Expressed Membrane-Bound UNC93A Respond to Nutrient Availability in Mice

Many transporters such as the solute carriers belonging to the Major facilitator superfamily Pfam clan are orphans in that their tissue and cellular localization as well as substrate profile and function are still unknown. Here we have characterized the putative solute carrier UNC93A. We aimed to investigate the expression profile on both protein and mRNA level of UNC93A in mouse since it has not been clarified. UNC93A staining was found in cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. It was found to be expressed in many neurons, but not all, with staining located in close proximity to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, we aimed to extend the starvation data available for Unc93a in hypothalamic cell cultures from mouse. We investigated the Unc93a alterations with focus on amino acid deprivation in embryonic cortex cells from mice as well as 24 h starvation in adult male mice and compared it to recently studied putative and known solute carriers. Unc93a expression was found both in the brain and peripheral organs, in low to moderate levels in the adult mice and was affected by amino acid deprivation in embryonic cortex cultures and starvation in in vivo samples. In conclusion, the membrane-bound UNC93A is expressed in both the brain and peripheral tissues and responds to nutrient availability in mice

The Putative SLC Transporters Mfsd5 and Mfsd11 Are Abundantly Expressed in the Mouse Brain and Have a Potential Role in Energy Homeostasis.

BACKGROUND:Solute carriers (SLCs) are membrane bound transporters responsible for the movement of soluble molecules such as amino acids, ions, nucleotides, neurotransmitters and oligopeptides over cellular membranes. At present, there are 395 SLCs identified in humans, where about 40% are still uncharacterized with unknown expression and/or function(s). Here we have studied two uncharacterized atypical SLCs that belong to the Major Facilitator Superfamily Pfam clan, Major facilitator superfamily domain 5 (MFSD5) and Major facilitator superfamily domain 11 (MFSD11). We provide fundamental information about the histology in mice as well as data supporting their disposition to regulate expression levels to keep the energy homeostasis. RESULTS:In mice subjected to starvation or high-fat diet, the mRNA expression of Mfsd5 was significantly down-regulated (P<0.001) in food regulatory brain areas whereas Mfsd11 was significantly up-regulated in mice subjected to either starvation (P<0.01) or high-fat diet (P<0.001). qRT-PCR analysis on wild type tissues demonstrated that both Mfsd5 and Mfsd11 have a wide central and peripheral mRNA distribution, and immunohistochemistry was utilized to display the abundant protein expression in the mouse embryo and the adult mouse brain. Both proteins are expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons, but not in astrocytes. CONCLUSIONS:Mfsd5 and Mfsd11 are both affected by altered energy homeostasis, suggesting plausible involvement in the energy regulation. Moreover, the first histological mapping of MFSD5 and MFSD11 shows ubiquitous expression in the periphery and the central nervous system of mice, where the proteins are expressed in excitatory and inhibitory mouse brain neurons

Differentiation of two human neuroblastoma cell lines alters SV2 expression patterns

Background: The synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2 (SV2) family is essential to the synaptic machinery involved in neurotransmission and vesicle recycling. The isoforms SV2A, SV2B and SV2C are implicated in neurological diseases such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Suitable cell systems for studying regulation of these proteins are essential. Here we present gene expression data of SV2A, SV2B and SV2C in two human neuroblastoma cell lines after differentiation. Methods: Human neuroblastoma cell lines SiMa and IMR-32 were treated for seven days with growth supplements (B-27 and N-2), all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) or vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and gene expression levels of SV2 and neuronal targets were analyzed. Results: The two cell lines reacted differently to the treatments, and only one of the three SV2 isoforms was affected at a time. SV2B and choline O-acetyltransferase (CHAT) expression was changed in concert after growth supplement treatment, decreasing in SiMa cells while increasing in IMR-32. ATRA treatment resulted in no detected changes in SV2 expression in either cell line while VIP increased both SV2C and dopamine transporter (DAT) in IMR-32 cells. Conclusion: The synergistic expression patterns between SV2B and CHAT as well as between SV2C and DAT mirror the connectivity between these targets found in disease models and knock-out animals, although here no genetic alteration was made. These cell lines and differentiation treatments could possibly be used to study SV2 regulation and function

The gene expression of the neuronal protein, SLC38A9, changes in mouse brain after in vivo starvation and high-fat diet.

SLC38A9 is characterized as a lysosomal component of the amino acid sensing Ragulator-RAG GTPase complex, controlling the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Here, immunohistochemistry was used to map SLC38A9 in mouse brain and staining was detected throughout the brain, in cortex, hypothalamus, thalamus, hippocampus, brainstem and cerebellum. More specifically, immunostaining was found in areas known to be involved in amino acid sensing and signaling pathways e.g. piriform cortex and hypothalamus. SLC38A9 immunoreactivity co-localized with both GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, but not with astrocytes. SLC38A9 play a key role in the mTORC1 pathway, and therefore we performed in vivo starvation and high-fat diet studies, to measure gene expression alterations in specific brain tissues and in larger brain regions. Following starvation, Slc38a9 was upregulated in brainstem and cortex, and in anterior parts of the brain (Bregma 3.2 to -2.1mm). After high-fat diet, Slc38a9 was specifically upregulated in hypothalamus, while overall downregulation was noticed throughout the brain (Bregma 3.2 to -8.6mm)

Histological characterization of orphan transporter MCT14 (SLC16A14) shows abundant expression in mouse CNS and kidney

Background: MCT14 (SLC16A14) is an orphan member of the monocarboxylate transporter (MCT) family, also known as the SLC16 family of secondary active transmembrane transporters. Available expression data for this transporter is limited, and in this paper we aim to characterize MCT14 with respect to tissue distribution and cellular localization in mouse brain. Results: Using qPCR, we found that Slc16a14 mRNA was highly abundant in mouse kidney and moderately in central nervous system, testis, uterus and liver. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we determined that MCT14 was highly expressed in excitatory and inhibitory neurons as well as epithelial cells in the mouse brain. The expression was exclusively localized to the soma of neurons. Furthermore, we showed with our phylogenetic analysis that MCT14 most closely relate to the aromatic amino acid- and thyroid-hormone transporters MCT8 (SLC16A2) and MCT10 (SLC16A10), in addition to the carnitine transporter MCT9 (SLC16A9). Conclusions: We provide here the first histological mapping of MCT14 in the brain and our data are consistent with the hypothesis that MCT14 is a neuronal aromatic-amino-acid transporter

Putative Membrane-Bound Transporters MFSD14A and MFSD14B Are Neuronal and Affected by Nutrient Availability

Characterization of orphan transporters is of importance due to their involvement in cellular homeostasis but also in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. The tissue and cellular localization, as well as function, is still unknown for many of the solute carriers belonging to the major facilitator superfamily (MFS) Pfam clan. Here, we have characterized two putative novel transporters MFSD14A (HIAT1) and MFSD14B (HIATL1) in the mouse central nervous system and found protein staining throughout the adult mouse brain. Both transporters localized to neurons and MFSD14A co-localized with the Golgi marker Giantin in primary embryonic cortex cultures, while MFSD14B staining co-localized with an endoplasmic retention marker, KDEL. Based on phylogenetic clustering analyses, we predict both to have organic substrate profiles, and possible involvement in energy homeostasis. Therefore, we monitored gene regulation changes in mouse embryonic primary cultures after amino acid starvations and found both transporters to be upregulated after 3 h of starvation. Interestingly, in mice subjected to 24 h of food starvation, both transporters were downregulated in the hypothalamus, while Mfsdl4a was also downregulated in the brainstem. In addition, in mice fed a high fat diet (HFD), upregulation of both transporters was seen in the striatum. Both MFSD14A and MFSD14B were intracellular neuronal membrane bound proteins, expressed in the Golgi and Endoplasmic reticulum, affected by both starvation and HFD to varying degree in the mouse brain

Glucose Availability Alters Gene and Protein Expression of Several Newly Classified and Putative Solute Carriers in Mice Cortex Cell Culture and D. melanogaster

Many newly identified solute carriers (SLCs) and putative transporters have the possibility to be intricately involved in glucose metabolism. Here we show that many transporters of this type display a high degree of regulation at both mRNA and protein level following no or low glucose availability in mouse cortex cultures. We show that this is also the case in Drosophila melanogaster subjected to starvation or diets with different sugar content. Interestingly, re-introduction of glucose to media, or refeeding flies, normalized the gene expression of a number of the targets, indicating a fast and highly dynamic control. Our findings demonstrate high conservation of these transporters and how dependent both cell cultures and organisms are on gene and protein regulation during metabolic fluctuations. Several transporter genes were regulated simultaneously maybe to initiate alternative metabolic pathways as a response to low glucose levels, both in the cell cultures and in D. melanogaster. Our results display that newly identified SLCs of Major Facilitator Superfamily type, as well as the putative transporters included in our study, are regulated by glucose availability and could be involved in several cellular aspects dependent of glucose and/or its metabolites. Recently, a correlation between dysregulation of glucose in the central nervous system and numerous diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as neurological disease such as Alzheimerâ\u80\u99s and Parkinsonâ\u80\u99s diseases indicate a complex regulation and fine tuning of glucose levels in the brain. The fact that almost one third of transporters and transporter-related proteins remain orphans with unknown or contradictive substrate profile, location and function, pinpoint the need for further research about them to fully understand their mechanistic role and their impact on cellular metabolism

Embryonic and neuronal expression of MFSD5 and MFSD11.

<p>MFSD5 antibody labelling in mouse e14-15 embryos are shown in A, with subsequent negative control (B). C depicts the MFSD11 staining in embryo, where D is its negative control. (E) MFSD5 in green and glutamate marker anti-glutaminase in red, co-localized, exemplified in cell indicated by the white arrow. (F) MFSD5 in red and eGFP-marked inhibitory vesicles, VIAAT, in green showed co-localization, depicted by white arrow. (G) MFSD11 in green and glutamate marker anti-glutaminase in red, co-localized, exemplified in cell indicated by the white arrow (H) MFSD11 in red and eGFP-marked inhibitory vesicles, VIAAT, in green showed co-staining, depicted by white arrow. Cell nucleus staining DAPI in blue was included in all staining.</p